Shampooing the Hair of a Client Confined to Bed

Purposes:
- To stimulate the blood circulation to the scalp
- To distribute hair oils and provide a healthy sheen
- To increase the client’s comfort
- To assess or monitor hair or scalp problems

STEPS RATIONALE
1. Assess:
 Determine routinely used shampoo
products
 Any scalp problems
 Activity tolerance of the client.
2. Determine:
 Whether a primary care provider’s
order is needed before a shampoo
can be given.
 The type of shampoo to be used.
 The best time of day for the shampoo
3. Assemble equipment
 Comb and brush For the organization of performance
 Plastic sheet or pad
 Two bath towels
 Shampoo basin
 Washcloth or pad
 Bath blanket
 Receptacle for the shampoo water
 Pitcher of water
 Bath thermometer
 Liquid or cream shampoo
 Hair dryer
1. Introduce yourself and verify client’s identity.
Explain what are you going to do, why is it To facilitate client’s cooperation and assure comfort.
necessary and how the client can cooperate
2. Perform hand hygiene Prevent the spread of microorganisms
3. Provide client privacy Provides client comfort.
4. Position and prepare the client
appropriately.
To ensure that the client is comfortable
a. Assist the client to the side of the bed from
To be able to perform the procedures with ease
which you will work.
b. Remove pins and ribbons from the hair, and
brush and comb it to remove any tangles.
5. Arrange the equipment. a. The plastic keeps the bedding dry.
a. Put the plastic sheet or pad on the bed under
thehead. b. This hyperextends the neck.
b. place it under the shoulders unless there is
someunderlying condition (e.g., neck surgery, c. This keeps the shoulders dry
arthritis of theneck)
c. Tuck a bath towel under the client’s shoulder d. Padding supports the muscles of the neck
d. Place the shampoo basin under the head, putting and prevents undue strain and discomfort
afolded washcloth or pad where the client’s neck
restson the edge of the basin. If the client is on a e. The folded bedding will stay dry, and
stretcher,the neck can rest on the edge of the sink thebathblanket, which can be discarded after
with thewashcloth as padding. theshampoo, willkeep the client warm.
e. Fanfold the top bedding down to the waist, and
coverthe upper part of the client with the bath
blanket.
f. Place the receiving receptacle on a table or chair
at the bedside. Put the spout of the shampoo basin
over the receptacle
6. Protect the client’s eyes. The washcloth protects the eyes from soapy water. A
Place a damp washcloth over the client’s eyes. damp washcloth will not slip.
7. Shampoo the hair.
a. Wet the hair thoroughly with the water.
b. Apply shampoo to the scalp. Make a good
latherwiththe shampoo while massaging the scalp
b. Massaging stimulates the blood circulation in
with the padsof your fingertips. Massage all areas of
thescalp. The pads of the fingers are used so that
the scalpsystematically, for example, starting at the
thefingernails will not scratch the scalp.
front andworking toward the back of the head.
c. Rinse the hair briefly, and apply shampoo again
d. Make a good lather and massage the scalp as
before
d. Shampoo remaining in the hairmay dry and irritate
e. Rinse the hair thoroughly this time to remove all
the hair and scalp.
shampoo
e. Through rinsing removes harbored
f. Squeeze as much water as possible out of the hair
microorganisms and prevents possibility of
with your hands

8. Dry the hair thoroughly.

a. Rub the client’s hair with a heavy towel.
b. Setting the temperature at warm ensures patient’s
b. Dry the hair with the dryer. Set the temperature at
comfort and safety. This also lessens the possibility
“warm.”
of weakening the quality/structure of the patient’s
c. Continually move the dryer to prevent burning
hair.
theclient’s scalp.
9. Ensure client comfort.
a. Assist the person confined to bed to a comfortable
To ensure the client’s continued comfort.
position.
b. Arrange the hair using a clean brush and comb.
10. Document the shampoo and any assessments.